Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

The Holiday season can be a stressful and difficult time. However there is help available.

Both Camden and Westminster provide mental health and wellbeing support over the Christmas period, primarily through 24/7 crisis lines (Westminster: 0800 0234 650 Camden: 0800 917 3333) and dedicated services like the Camden Crisis Sanctuary, which is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day.

Emergency Mental Health Support in Westminster: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/find-mental-health-support-and-resources-our-wellbeing-hub/urgent-and-mental-health-advice-and-support

Emergency Mental Health Support in Camden: https://www.camdenandislingtontalkingtherapies.nhs.uk/camden-islington/crisis-support/

Urgent & Crisis Support (Westminster & Camden)

For urgent help, these services are available 24/7 throughout the Christmas period:
24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line: Call 0800 0234 650 for both Camden and Westminster residents to access specialist support.
NHS 111: If you are unsure or have a non-life-threatening medical need, call 111 or visit the NHS 111 online service.
Emergency Services: In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999 or go to your local A&E department.
Shout: A free, confidential 24/7 text service. Text “SHOUT” to 85258 for support.
Samaritans: Offer free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
The Coves: These are local community safe spaces offering 1:1 appointments (in person or virtually) from 2pm to 10pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. See https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/coves

Foodbanks and Support Services

We know that Christmas can put an extra strain on finances and sometimes additional help is needed to help budgets stretch to the New Year. There are a number of local food banks and support services available to help – we have included a few of these below and more can be found via our website .

Please note that it might be useful to check the specific opening hours and procedures of each service by calling up ahead of time. You may also need a referral from another organisation to access a food bank. Many of these services may be closed over the Holiday period.

Food Banks

For a list of foodbanks in Westminster see: www.westminster.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support/food-support-services .

For food support in Camden, use
Camden’s Find Food Support website or call the council on 020 7974 4444 and say “food”

Ask the council if they can provide help with other essentials like clothes or fuel when you contact them about food support.

Emergency Financial Assistance

Westminster:  see Emergency Financial Assistance in Westminster or call 020 7641 6000 for emergency help with essential living costs like food, fuel (top-ups for keys/cards), clothing, and essential household items

Camden:  see Camden Council Money Advice Service or call 020 7974 4444 to get help with financial difficulty, access money payments, and check your benefit entitlements.·

Soho Housing Hardship Fund

The Soho Housing Hardship Fund can provide small grants and other practical short-term support for households up to £500. There is more information available on our website: www.sohoha.org.uk/residents/you-and-soho-housing/tenancy-support/#hardship 

Please contact your housing officer to get help.

Office closed for Holiday Season

Our office will be closed for the holiday season from 5 pm on 24 December 2025 to 9 am on 2 January 2025. If you require an emergency repair during this period, please contact our Emergency line on 020 7557 7400. For all other enquiries, please email housing@sohoha.org.uk. Your email will be responded to on our return.